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Old 02-17-2020, 03:29 PM   #1 (permalink)
botsapper
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Czech treasure, Tatra 77

Czechoslovakian treasure faithfully restored to concourse level-quality, the Tatra 77 won the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours dŽElegance. Built in 1934-1935, the Tatra 77 was aero-crafted by Paul Jaray and engineered by Tatra's chief designer Hans Ledwinka. Jaray had worked in aerodynamics for Luftschiffbau Zeppelin and produced the aerodynamic shapes for superior performance, fuel economy, and reduced cabin noise. The Tatra 77 had a 0.212 drag coefficient, the first serial-produced aerodynamically designed automobile. There are strong Art Deco visual arts influence was not as sweepingly flamboyant as the French Delahayes, the hand-built T77 was a product of science and tunnel-tested fluid dynamic engineering. It had an rear-engine air-cooled layout to reduce drivetrain/engine noises in the passenger cabin. The front hood was shortened and the rear section extended. It inspired Hitler's idea of a people's car and commissioned Ferdinand Porsche with his similar Zundapp Type 12 layout. Tatra sued Porsche for infringement but the German invasion of Czechoslovakia interrupted that. Post-war Volkswagen settled with Tatra.


Last edited by botsapper; 02-17-2020 at 04:05 PM..
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